Laser refractive surgical procedure method and apparatus

Abstract

A method for the removal of the epithelial layer and underlying Basement Membrane while leave a smooth and undisturbed Bowman's Membrane in preparation for a laser refractive surgical procedure. The method of the present invention uses a microkeratome having a blade that is capable of cutting through the epithelial layer and Basement Membrane, but not capable of cutting through Bowman's Membrane.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of performing a laser refractive surgical procedure, comprising the steps of: 
 a) contacting a cornea with a blade;    b) advancing the blade across the cornea so that the blade penetrates an epithelium and a Basement Membrane of the cornea so as to expose but not penetrate a Bowman's Membrane of the cornea; and    c) irradiating the Bowman's Membrane and underlying stromal tissue with ablative laser radiation to effect a refractive change in the cornea.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the blade contains a blunt tip.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the blade has a flat section and a rounded section and the blunt tip separates the flat section from the rounded section.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the blade is oscillated at an oscillation frequency of approximately between 5,000 revolutions/minute and approximately 20,000 revolutions/minute.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the oscillation frequency is approximately between 8,000 revolutions/minute and 14,000 revolutions/minute.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the blade is advanced across the cornea at a speed of approximately between 1.0 millimeter/second and 2.0 millimeters/second.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the blade is advanced across the cornea at a speed of approximately 1.5 millimeters/second.  
     
     
         8 . A method of performing a laser refractive surgical procedure, comprising the steps of: 
 a) contacting a cornea with a blade, the blade oscillated at an oscillation frequency of approximately between 5,000 revolutions/minute and 20,000 revolutions/minute;    b) advancing the blade across the cornea at a speed of approximately between 1.0 millimeter/second and 2.0 millimeters/second so that the blade penetrates an epithelium and a Basement Membrane of the cornea so as to expose but not penetrate a Bowman's Membrane of the cornea; and    c) irradiating the Bowman's Membrane and underlying stromal tissue with ablative laser radiation to effect a refractive change in the cornea.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the blade contains a blunt tip.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the blade has a flat section and a rounded section and the blunt tip separates the flat section from the rounded section.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the oscillation frequency is approximately between 8,000 revolutions/minute and 14,000 revolutions/minute.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the blade is advanced across the cornea at a speed of approximately 1.5 millimeters/second.